GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

Found 2 definitions

1.       
   Knout , n. [Russ. knut'; prob. of Scand. origin; cf. Sw. knut knot, knout, Icel. knūtr knot: cf. F. knout. See Knot.] A kind of whip for flogging criminals, formerly much used in Russia. The lash is a tapering bundle of leather thongs twisted with wire and hardened, so that it mangles the flesh.
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2.       
   Knout, v. t. To punish with the knout.
   Brougham.
   
   1913 Webster